03/20/16 ~ Creation vs creationism ...

The word "creationism" simply refers to any Christian doctrine (teaching, or instruction) that professes that God created/made anything or everything. While, on the surface, that seems OK; in this case, it's somewhat derogatory ... in that ... it reduces the grand act of God's creating to simply beliefs taught as though it's root word "creation" may not be so. It's a subtle difference, I know, but it is an important one to take note of.

The word "creation" is the more appropriate use since it refers to (in this context) the actual act of God's creating; rather than simply "the doctrine" (see below for definition) that claims God created:

creation [kree-ey-shuh n] - noun
1. the act of producing or causing to exist; the act of creating; engendering.
2. the fact of being created.
3. something that is or has been created.
4. the Creation, the original bringing into existence of the universe by God.
5. the world; universe.
6. creatures collectively.
{click the link below to see the next two, unrelated to this post}

...

creationism [kree-ey-shuh-niz-uh m] - noun
1. the doctrine that matter and all things were created, substantially as they now exist, by an omnipotent Creator, and not gradually evolved or developed.
2. (sometimes initial capital letter) the doctrine that the true story of the creation of the universe is as it is recounted in the Bible, especially in the first chapter of Genesis.
3. the doctrine that God immediately creates out of nothing a new human soul for each individual born.

Source: http://www.dictionary.com/

Did you notice how "creationism" refers to "the doctrine"? Although creation and creationism are both correct, the more powerful usage would be the word "creation", which would be used in context that you -as a believer in Jesus- believe in the whole act of "creation", not just that you have been instructed or taught about creation. Do you see the difference?

Shockingly (from the above source), when you type in the word "evolutionism" into the same search box it forwards to "evolutionist" and only refers to "evolutionism" as a noun, without further definition. Yet, in regards to the "ism" it is the same thing ... a belief in a certain doctrine or teaching. Evolutionism is the doctrine that expresses the beliefs of those that adhere to the theory of evolution. Yet "evolutionism" does not come up with a similar definition to "creationism" on that source. I hope you can see the biased there.

A quick summary of the word "doctrine" ...

doctrine - noun ("instruction", "teacher," or "to teach")
1 : something that is taught
2 : a principle or the principles in a system of belief

Source: http://www.wordcentral.com/cgi-bin/student?book=Student&va=doctrine

Miriam-Webster's Online Dictionary (http://www.wordcentral.com/) at least doesn't return anything for either "creationism" or "evolutionism". I think I'll use this site to look up my words from now on!

So, instead of using the word "creationism", use the the more potent word "creation" because it is more becoming of our faith & trust that we believe God is the Creator and that we are His creation, as is everything else both seen and unseen, as it is written in the bible. An example of the correct usage would be: "I believe in creation!" (not ... I believe in creationism).

In regard to "evolution", the term "evolutionism" is quite appropriate since "evolution" is simply a theory, as in ... "the theory of evolution" ... a belief that we *evolved* from slime in a primordial soup billions of years ago. 

And while I'm on the subject ... this generation has been indoctrinated into believing an unproven theory, that of evolution (I say "unproven" because it wouldn't be called a "theory" if it were proven), is a false doctrine, for which we have been warned there would be many false teachers & teachings in these last days. 

If you believe this "theory of evolution" take heed!

{2Pe 2:1 KJV} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
-Apostle Peter  

{Rom 1:16-32 KJV} For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
-Apostle Paul

The bible testifies to God's creation, in the beginning ...

{Gen 1:1-2 KJV} In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
-Moses

And, the bible testifies that Jesus did the creating ... 

{Jhn 1:1-3 KJV} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. {"the Word" = Jesus}
-Apostle John

Happy 1st Day of Spring! Thanks for reading ;o}




{Curly bracket comments are mine.}

03/17/16 ~ The Parable of the 10 Virgins

Here are some *comparison* scriptures for either the WISE or the FOOLISH virgins. The word "virgins" represents believers in Jesus/Yeshua. The wise virgins are those that are ready AND watching; the foolish are those that are NEITHER ready NOR watching and may also include all of Israel (unless they are ready/watching believers).

Between Matthew and Luke, and possibly Isaiah, we have at least two witnesses of what happens to them ...

.:: WISE VIRGINS ::.
Believers in Jesus/Yeshua that are ready AND watching ...

{Mat 25:10} And while they {the foolish virgins} went to buy {oil for their lamps}, the bridegroom {Jesus/Yeshua} came; and they that were ready {the wise virgins} went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. -Jesus

{Luk 12:37-38} Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.  And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants. -Jesus

{Luk 12:41-44} Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?  And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom [his] lord shall make ruler over his household, to give [them their] portion of meat in due season?  Blessed [is] that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.  Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

.:: AN INTERESTING -OLD TESTAMENT- SCRIPTURE ::.
Believers in Jesus/Yeshua that are ready AND watching ...

{Isa 26:20} Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

.:: FOOLISH VIRGINS ::.
Believers in Jesus/Yeshua that are NOT ready NOR watching; and unbelievers, including the majority of Israel ...

{Mat 25:8-12} And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. -Jesus

{Luk 12:35-36} Let your loins be girded about, and [your] lights burning;  And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. -Jesus {Most of the Jews of Israel did not open unto Him immediately at His first coming (unbeknownst to anyone at the time, and for the saving grace of many of us Gentiles since then); don't YOU make the same mistake because He IS returning again in the not so distant future. Be ready & watching!}

{Luk 12:45-47} But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many [stripes]. -Jesus

That's it for now, I'll add more if I come across more!




{Curly bracket comments within scripture are mine, to clarify for when full chapters or context are not used. Be a *Berean*, do your own research with your own bible. KJV used on this site unless otherwise noted. Red letters are quoting Jesus.}

03/08/16 ~ What's in a name? {YHWH}

The name of the Father, God, is YHWH, thought to be pronounced YaHWeH or YaHuWaH. After watching the video (link below), called "The Name", I agree that God's name is probably pronounced Yahuwah. 

The four letter English transliteration {YHWH or YHVH} is called the TETRAGRAMMATON; it comes from the following scripture ...

Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses,

I AM THAT I AM: and he said,

Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel,

I AM hath sent me unto you.

We are given the *short form* of God's name by king David in his psalm (song) here ...

Psa 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. {AKA: I AM - YAH}

Jesus revealed Himself to be God (in the flesh) when He said the following:

Jhn 8:58 Jesus said unto them, 

Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Before Abraham was, I am.

See the post I did yesterday as well!

Here are some great graphics, videos & websites that explain His name {YHWH} using -picto- or -paleo- Hebrew letters, which are a very old form of Hebrew, and the letter meanings ... which are completely lost in -modern- Hebrew. If you want to get to know God better ... learn the ancient forms of Hebrew, they are quite the eye opener!

.:: VIDEOS ::.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wiBtYITrxM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTymexiJUFw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnGIDhAHfjU (The Name)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-Bqe5rfl5s (part 7, check them all out!)

.:: WEBSITES ::.
http://ancient-hebrew.org/
http://ancient-hebrew.org/alphabet_evolution.html
http://www.freewebs.com/brucedurbinonlinescripture/adamtonoah.htm
http://www.bible-codes.org/Names-Bible-Prophecy-Code.htm
http://www.bible-codes.org/acrostic_genealogy-summary-bible-code.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetragrammaton

In this graphic, the first letter -in RED- (reading each name
from right to left) is used for the message.

.:: NOTE ::.
The English letters V & W are interchangeable since it's believed that V didn't exist back when ancient, picto, and paleo Hebrew were being used, it was more than likely the letter/sound W. Likewise, the letters J & Y are also interchangeable for the same reason, the letter J was not thought to exist until more modern times, so it was more than likely the letter/sound Y, not J.

In modern Hebrew, the letters B & V are similar in appearance (as are a few other letters) but have vowel dots or lines to differentiate between them. I won't get into that here as other sites explain that far better than I could!

I believe that our modern English stems from ancient Hebrew ... check out the Part 7 video (link above, see all it's parts)!

Thanks for reading ;o}




{Curly Bracket comments are mine. KJV used for all scriptures unless otherwise noted. Red letter text is quoting Jesus. Blue letter text is quoting God. I found all the graphics on the web in google images.}

03/07/16 ~ What's in a word? {TORAH}

Ancient Hebrew letters are amazing! This ancient Hebrew is from around the time of Moses. The word "Torah" refers to the first five books of the bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy {Torah, AKA "the law of Moses"}. Hebrew is read from right to left; Torah is the English transliteration read from left to right.

Here are the Hebrew alphabet letters that make up the word TORAH, and each words' meaning:
TAV - {the T sound} - pictures a cross
    meaning "to seal or covenant"
VAV - {the O sound} - pictures a nail or peg
    meaning "to add or secure"
RESH - {the R sound} - pictures a head
    meaning "a person, the head or the highest"
HEY - {the AH sound} - a person with hands raised
    meaning "to reveal or behold or what comes from"

.:: THE MEANING IN THE LETTERS FOR TORAH ::.
"behold the man who secures the covenant"
... &/OR ...
"what comes from the man nailed to the cross"

Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. {Jesus speaking.}

Jhn 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Jhn 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. -Jesus

The ONLY *scriptures* Jesus had, and those from which He preached, were "the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms", the Old Testament/Covenant. If you don't understand things that are written in either the OT or the NT, seek the Lord.

Thanks for reading ;o}





{Curly Bracket comments are mine. KJV scriptures used. Red text is quoting Jesus. Feel free to use the graphic, I made most of it, but the ancient Hebrew and modern Hebrew text were from another graphic I found on the internet, I don't take credit for those parts. Save the graphic to your own computer please!}